Chapter 8

Cal tried not to let his nervousness show as he lightly stepped into the room. Alia had her back turned to him and was rummaging around in her trunk. He closed the door, getting her attention.

He half expected her to scream at him, cover her eyes or call him a pervert. Any negative reaction really. To his immense relief and delight, she made no comment. Her eyes did briefly drop to his crotch though, and a very slight tinge colored her cheeks.

He made no move to cover himself and moved to sit on the chair. "Where were we?"

Alia hesitated for a moment before clearing her throat and looking up at his eyes. "Right. Err... How many points did you spend again?"

"One on VIT and another on EDT." He fought the urge to cross his legs and hide his crotch.

Alia sat on the bed. "So that still gives you eight points to spend right?"

He nodded in confirmation. "Any suggestions."

"I think you should focus on your strengths for now," she said. "With your STR being low as it is, raising it now won't do you any good. From what you told me, you mostly snuck around and killed the rats right?"

"Yup."

"Then you should put your points in DEX and AGI. You could always just run away if you can't surprise the critters. You can't overpower them now no matter hard you try in your current state."

"So I should ignore other stats?"

Alia shook her head. "I didn't say that. Put your points in AGI and DEX till you're sure you can outrun the monsters and then start covering your weaker stats."

He thought about it and found her reasoning solid. "What about EDI?"

"That'll be your biggest advantage," she replied with a small grin. "It allows you to heal faster, repair your equipment and who knows what else. I suggest you put all your points from the achievement into that one."

"All five points?"

She nodded. "They'll be worth it. I'm sure of it."

He trusted her judgement and did as she suggested. After all, she was the more knowledgeable one at this stuff.

[Stats]

HP: 50/50

MP: 50/50

SP: 0/50

STR: 5

VIT: 5

AGI: 12

DEX: 9

SPI: 5

DEN: 5

EDI: 5

He frowned at the screen and Alia noticed. "What's wrong?"

"My SP. It's still 0. When I first put a point in EDT, it filled up my SP," he informed her.

"Maybe because it was your first point?" She shrugged. "What's you're recovery on that?"

"One per hour I think."

Alia hummed thoughtfully. "We'll have to experiment with that later. I know HP and MP regeneration can be increased with skills and perks but I have no idea if this can be improved."

That was a shame. He was hoping that his SP would have filled up so he could experiment further. Just sitting here naked, completely exposing himself to her sent a thrill down his spine. He didn't miss her gaze occasionally travelling downward nor did he miss her blush. That was interesting. Considering she had no interest in men, she shouldn't have batted an eye... well not have that reaction at least.

"Well I have to get back to work and you need to get some sleep," she said and stood up. Now that she mentioned it, he did feel exhausted. He stood up and went to pick up his clothes from the bathroom but she stopped him.

"Leave them," she told him, throwing him a simple white shirt and grey trousers. "I'll have them cleaned for you."

Cal looked at the clothes in his hands and sighed. "Alia..."

"I'm not using them anymore and it's better than throwing them away." Seeing that he was about to protest again, she held up a hand. "I'm not taking them back."

He grumbled but didn't say anything further. He put the clothes on slowly and deliberately, all the while keenly aware that Alia hadn't taken her eyes off him. Her reaction to his nakedness was weird. Although he had made her okay with him being naked, her sudden... curiosity felt new to him.

He met her gaze and smirked, causing her to blush and push him out the door.

"When are you leaving for the delve," she asked as she turned to lock the door, trying to sound casual.

"I'm planning to be there at first light," he said and grimaced. "At least until I can hit level 10 that is. Try to stay out of Josh's sight as long as I can."

She sighed and turned to him with an apologetic look. "I'm sorry about him. I'll try to keep him off your back."

He shook his head. "That'll just egg him on more plus he'll take that as an opportunity to hit on you. It's okay," he said with confidence. "It'll only be a while before he won't be able to bully me anymore."

"I hope so."

Cal walked bare feet to the room given to him. It was small with a one person bed on one end and a wooden desk and chair at the other. At the foot of the bed was a small trunk. A door led to a small bathroom, although without a shower. Although it wasn't much, it was much more than he ever had and the soft bed looked inviting.

He placed his dagger on the desk and leapt on the bed, sighing as he sunk in. He turned to lay on his back and looked at the ceiling. After so many years of looking at the moons when he looked up, it felt weird to have a roof over his head.

He went over the day's events in his head and couldn't help but grin. He had not only awakened, but a unique one at that, fought monsters, gained a level and earned a few coins to his name. Call him a pervert but standing in front of the girl of his dreams naked gave him a thrill just as much as leveling up.

He wondered how much more he could do with his power. One thing was for sure though. He was beginning to see that his power could give him all he ever wanted and so much more.